The main duties of the Lancaster County Human Relations Commission are "to receive and process cases" of possible discrimination, its top official says.

The commission does that with a staff of just nine people at its 225 W. King St. headquarters.

And the extra details involved with organizing the commission's yearly Unity Banquet — seeking nominations for its top awards and other work — just adds to its workload, Executive Director Leslie Hyson said last week.

So despite all the "inspiring stories" she hears about winners who have done much to improve human relations here, Thursday's 45th annual Unity Banquet could be the final one, Hyson said.

"With other responsibilities, (like) complaint processing, information and education that really take priority over the banquet, I don't see us continuing to do it," Hyson said.

She does hope, however, to "find some way to continue the tradition of the two awards" that are given at the annual event.

The Unity Banquet, called a "salute to community harmony," will be held Thursday evening at Willow Valley Resort and Conference Center.

Retired WGAL news anchor Dick Hoxworth and high-achieving area student Carlos Gonzalez will receive the top honors at the banquet.

Hoxworth will receive the Harry C. Robinson Sr. Humanitarian Award, which recognizes someone for "extraordinary care and concern for others and promoting good human relations by spreading harmony and understanding."

Gonzalez will receive the Laurie Flick Award, established in memory of a Hempfield High School sophomore who concerned herself with the needs and betterment of others while battling cancer.

Hyson has been the commission's executive director since 1998. She said such stories, "especially about younger people," encourage and motivate her.

Hyson said the commission is not receiving as many nominations for the awards as in the past.

The future of the Unity Banquet will be discussed by the commission's board of directors.

 "What I hope is that we find some way to continue the tradition of the two awards," Hyson said, " … (and) hopefully we will come up with another venue in which to give out the awards."

"I can't believe it's tough to find deserving winners," she said. "I'm sure there are as many deserving nominees as ever, but for whatever reason we're just not receiving them."

The banquet has drawn more than 400 people some years, and Hyson said with a laugh that she has gone to "more of these banquets than I can count," and left with plenty of good memories.

One of her most memorable awards was the year the Robinson award was presented posthumously to Darvin Boyd, a past board member and "wonderful inspiration."

Thursday's banquet will begin with a social time and reception at 6 p.m. The cost per person, which includes the reception and dinner, is $40.

For more information, the commission can be reached at 299-7840.

doconnor@lnpnews.com